Depressed about Childcare Reforms Crap!

I am a newly re-registered CM, just starting up again after a house move (previously registered for 3 years).

I'm really getting very upset and depressed about the current uncertainty about the proposed Childcare reforms (see live Webchat thread with Elizabeth Truss).

I have spent the last couple of weeks writing, emailing, tweeting, participating in forums etc, in order to do something constructive. But the whole thing is getting me down and making me wonder if I should just start looking for another job.

The second reading is on Monday at 3.30pm (great timing huh?!), so hopefully some other MPs will raise objections and Truss will be forced to 'do a Gove'. But - what if that doesn't happen?

Agencies!? Nooooooooo! That would be terrible, I think: higher costs, and a group of people who don't actually do any childcare making profits from both CM and parents for doing what local councils, childminders and parents do perfectly well already. Argh. Sometimes I just want to give up (not parenting, finding childcare!). And that's what people will do: childminders will, some parents won't be able to find what they need any more, and many will be pushed into nurseries, not that there's anything wrong with a good nursery but they aren't for everyone and they aren't all good! <off to sign petition>

Hey folks: we have a new petition against agencies (to compliment the ratios ones), here is the link: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/liz-truss-stop-plans-for-childminder-agenciesPlease spread the news and tweet / share!I'm fighting this one and NOT rolling over...:-D

Childminders, parents and anyone working with children (anyone at all really!) this is the link to the comments page for this bill (apologies Mumsnet if this isn't allowed - assume you will edit it out in that case) http://www.parliament.uk/business/bills-and-legislation/public-reading/children-and-families-bill/childcare/You can post your opinions about childminder agencies here.If you follow the One Voice campaign link www.togetherforquality.com there is loads of info about our concerns as well as links to two petitions asking for Government to rethink their proposals for allowing practitioners to care for more children. We can't afford to let others deal with this - we all need to make a lot of noise. around 50000 people have signed the petitions so far but Government still aren't listening. Nearly every major childcare organisation and expert in the country have said it's a bad idea and Govt STILL aren't listening

It's likely they won't improve. The agencies idea is currently being dismantled in Holland, where Liz Truss originally got the idea, because it led to lower standards and higher costs for parents.She does know this: she's been told many times. She chooses to ignore it.

Grockle - basically Ms Truss reckons that by having childminders look after more children (and staff in nurseries more children per staff member) childcare costs will fall but quality will improve (nobody seems clear how this works). She also reckons that childminders should not be individually inspected and graded, but that they should join agencies so that OFSTED can just inspect the agencies. These agencies would supposedly take a lot of hassle from parents by matching children to childcare vacancies, dealing with the financial and contractual stuff and leaving childminders more free time to look after more babies. Most childminders I know can't see any benefit in having an agency interfere with how they work, and value the freedom to vary what they offer to families. They view the idea of having a middle-man with some mistrust as well as the idea that their hard earned reputations could be undone by the possible shortcomings of an agency over which they have no control.

Jus re-read - to clarify - not a criticism of parents in any way (I am one myself!!!!). It's very easy NOT to know what's going on. What with all the other horrendous austerity measures etc, this is relatively low-profile. But it's still a TIMEBOMB!

CMs are making lots of noise because its our livelihoods at stake here.

Parents - please join with CMs and Nurseries and help make some noise!

The 2nd reading of the reforms is tomorrow (Mon) at 3.30 pm and I'm clinging to the hope that sufficient MPs will blast Liz Truss's poorly thought through ideas into submission. Labour shadow MPs are behind us, but ConDems are mainly ignoring us or sitting on the fence (including my own local MP).

We could really do with more parents supporting CMs - as it's no surprise we are being vocal. The Gov MIGHT listen if parents, en masse, rejected the reforms too.

I worry so much about everything this government is doing. Especially all the 'no, no, we won't do that'... and then, 'Oh yes, we are doing that. When we said we wouldn't, that's not quite what we meant.'

I have not kept up to date with this because, well, I just haven't. But we have a CM and she is fabulous. I often fear her giving up & desperately hope she won't. Can anyone link to a simple description of the main changes?

It's so hard to find childcare that is suitable & works well. I'd be very sad if CMs were no longer able to operate.

I hate dealing with Ofsted. Clearly they (from the top down) have a pretty dim view of CMs (remember Susan Gregory's Annual Report video?!). Inspection is so 'hit and miss' luck, depending on which inspector you get. It is just TOO HARD - only the really tenacious CMs stick at it and I'm not sure I have the strength any more.I agree with risk assessments, health & safety and SOME of the learning & dev stuff, but what Ofsted expect us to do is STILL too much.

And yet: I love looking after babies and toddlers and I have a file of letters from happy parents, telling me how much their child loves/ed coming to my home.

minderjinx - yes - agree with all you said.Very worrying that there are still many Parents & CMs clueless about what MAY happen.Beginning to wish I hadn't bothered re-registering.I started just as EYFS came in and found it mind boggling and my first grading inspection was beyond awful - got the dreaded Satisfactory, despite working bloody hard!Could not sleep last night again, due to fretting and worrying.Really not in a good way at the mo.:-(